HANOI, VIETNAM – A devastating overnight fire in a central Hanoi apartment building claimed 14 lives and injured six others, authorities said Friday. The blaze erupted in a narrow alley, which hindered firefighting efforts due to its limited access.
The fire broke out around 12:30 a.m., accompanied by several explosions, according to local reports. Firefighters, unable to bring firetrucks through the 6.5-foot-wide alley, resorted to using hoses to control the flames. It took them an hour to extinguish the fire.
Nguyen Thanh Trung, a nearby resident, recounted being jolted awake by the explosions. “I could feel the shock at my house,” Trung said. He and others quickly grabbed a ladder to break windows and assist trapped residents in escaping the inferno.
The building, home to 24 people, including seven from the owner’s family and 17 tenants, was a scene of devastation. The injured victims are currently receiving treatment at Hanoi Transport Hospital and are reported to be in stable condition.
Investigations revealed that the fire originated in a small courtyard used as a garage for electric bike sales and repairs. Trung mentioned that the family often charged the bikes’ batteries overnight, which may have contributed to the blaze.
In the aftermath, police cordoned off the alley, revealing charred motorbikes, plants, and scattered belongings. Authorities have pledged financial compensation to the victims’ families, offering $1,962 to those who lost loved ones and $1,177 to the injured.
This tragic incident echoes a similar fire in Hanoi last September, where over 50 people perished under comparable circumstances. The city’s narrow lanes once again proved to be a significant obstacle for rescue operations.